It’s been about a year since it was sold again. What’s up now at Coco Palms.
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488 thoughts on “Infamous Coco Palms Kauai | Why It Just Won’t End”
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It’s been about a year since it was sold again. What’s up now at Coco Palms.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Comments are closed.
I was here, in 1979. I was 21 or 22. The last place, on my vacation tour, of all 4 Islands. I loved Coco Palms, so much! The landscape and I remember the sink, was made out of a real seashell. It was awesome and beautiful! Coco Palms, always in my heart! Miss you!
If we are talking about solutions which will be tenable in the future, then they have to include financial sustainability. That’s just reality. A new Coco Palms back from the highway with level II bridge across the highway to the beach is just one possibility.
If Zuckerberg is asked to step up, it will have to be for the purchase price And whatever the projected cost of construction and sustainability for at least 20 or more years. My guess is a minimum of $250K but more like $500K and asking for half a billion dollars is a bigger request than we talked about here before.
I’m very confused by the previous poster, MJ, referring to a “guess” of 250 thousand dollars (250K) to 500 thousand dollars (500K) for something or other. And then in the next sentence something about 500 billion dollars. What in the heck was that about?
Just for perspective, the difference between 500K and 500MM in minutes, for example, is enormous. 500K minutes is 24 days. 500MM minutes is 65 Years. So…what exactly was MJ trying to say about a one thousand fold difference in dollar amounts?
Mark Zuckerberg could improve his reputation on the island if he bought it (he has plenty of money while many islanders struggle to find affordable housing). He could donate the land to native Hawaiians, pay for appropriate demolition and convert the area into a cultural site that is designed and approved by elders. Another hotel just seems wrong now.
This would be a win for Zuck, future tourists and the people of Hawaii.
Are there any updates on the status of the Coco Palms project/permits?
We count on you Kauai guys!
Hi MJ.
Nothing we’ve heard at the moment. Thanks for asking.
Aloha.
Is Bob Jasper still doing the Coco Palms tour?
If Zuck could just buy it, turn it into a park and name it after himself, I don’t think anybody on the island would complain. In fact, I think it would earn him some big respect. Who wouldn’t put their name on something like that? Win/Win.
We stayed at the Coco Palm in the late 1970’s. Today, I’m still enamored by the conch shell sink in our room. I have a joyous memory of finding a coconut and struggling to open it on the grounds, amonst the hundreds of coconut trees.
I am deeply saddened to hear the hotel has fallen and will not be resurrected into its former glorious self. Much as we too have fallen, far from our beautiful, youthful selves. Grief is what we now share in knowing what the following generations will never know and experience. Aloha
I share your memories of visiting the Cocoa Palms in the early 70s as a gifted 2nd honeymoon. The grounds were so beautiful and lush. I also recall \ a Torch Ceremony, audience participation in a Hula show (so much fun) and keeping an eye on the luau preparations of the authentically ground-roasted pig and trying the poi at dinner. Our second island was Maui, and we pedaled the grounds of our hotel along the beach. Now Lahaina is also gone w/the wildfires. I too am beyond sad that no one will again experience that Hawaii.
Its a disgrace and embarassment. The county should give whoever owns it 90 days to tear it down or they should do it themselves and put a lien on it for the costs to eemove it. Its clearly a nuisance and hazard to the community Its obvious whoever owns it will not do anything or they would have years ago.
With only 1 bid, why o why would anyone bid $22 million? Follow the money!
Just for Glenn’s edification, the $22 million was the outstanding amount of the bond of the previous development attempt. Basically the holder of this (usually a bank) advertised to unload this liability for the right bid. They got 1 bid. My guess is it’s a venture capital deal put together for the purpose of actually getting some sort of progress started then selling it for a profit. BOH please correct me if I stated anything known to be different.
Funny thing: I was just on Kauai with my husband for the first time in December. I wondered about this exact property as we drove around the island. I happen to be working on a family history project where I am typing old family letters that were kept by one of my grandmothers and this is the place she stayed once. She wrote her letter on the official stationary, sent it in the official envelope and even included a little brochure on the chapel. I had no idea these two separate things were connected until I looked up the resort on Google and there it is all neatly wrapped up in a bow for me. Small world
Has anyone thought about developing the property as an events/wedding, exclusive restaurant and garden venue instead of a hotel resort. This way the property is kept more natural and exclusive but still sort of making a profit for maintenance without destroying the ambiance.
The eyesore should have been torned down 30 years ago it was an eyesore before the storm hit , Elvis n all there cronies all left the building,itallon the counties hands to do something with it . Kauai need an updated hospital n care center especially for the elderly n children for those who live there , if money is the problem start taxing these weekenders from California that are not permanent residents , the ones with multimillion summer homes start taxing those people accordingly the county would have enough to finish the eyesore , also I can’t understand why the county keeps turning down attempts for affordable housing .isthisthe results of the rich from California don’t want affordable housing on there island ,
Aloha,
well said, someone’s palm is definitely getting greased and even though my thoughts on this former resort matter and all the issues that are surrounding it over the past 30 years I prefer the word extortion! in my opinion that is what’s going on here
Why is it only rich from California? There are people from other states in USA and other countries flocking to Kauai, a beautiful hotel with a walkable bridge over the road to the beach would be one solution , Kauai needs tourism because without it you all could be living like the native Hawaiian people on Niihau … without tourism money Hawaiian islands would be primitive at best …
I have commented many times on this thread but I just have to reiterate a fundamental fact. For Decades this has been a piece of Comercial Property. It is in the best interest of Kauai that it be restored to a revenue generating (taxable) venue. I agree that the current owners should be given a realistic timeline for progress, but the notion of seizing the place is not Aloha or American!
There has been a Casino Hotel in Carson City NV, built in 1974, been shut down for 20 years or so almost across from the State Capital building. The City Council got tired of it standing and forlorn for so many years and gave the property owners an ultimatum to “do something with it”. The owners answer? Fine! We’ll demolish it to bare ground, and you’ll lose the Property Taxation value of commercial developed property (all though not operational). City Council backed off Very quickly no further action as far as I know. So even in it dilapidated condition it’s “developed” and taxed at a higher value than bare ground. That is If the system in HI works the same as in Nevada.
Has anyone had a spiritual experience on the property? I was in the Grove in back, not long after Iniki. It was night. The entire sky was covered in clouds. It was raining very lightly. I can attest to the sacred nature of the land. Very powerful indeed.
I was there in 1968 for 1 day. I was just there 2 weeks ago and was so disappointed to see the shell it has become. It should be made into a cultural center.
My wife and I honeymooned at Coco Palms in 1978 and it was wonderful. It’s sad and tragic that something can’t be done with CoCo Palms. Even a park would be preferable to the rusting hulk that is there.
I believe it is still too early to open. We are still in a pandemic and it’s irresponsible to open until at least 2024. Many people are neglecting their Booster shots causing this pandemic to linger on longer than it needs to be. Just look at China as they are still in lockdown. If we don’t get more people boosted, this will happen to us.
Too early to ‘open’ in Nov 2022??
Still in a pandemic in Nov 2022????
The ‘pandemic’ was over by the end of 2020.
tgi says that tourism in Kauai has bounced back to pre-Covid numbers. Is it possible for the county to finance taking the structure down and leave the grounds as is? With all the abandoned cars that I see maybe that is asking too much.
When you ask that question the county say that they have no money for that and the same answer from the State…
I’m going to lay out a vision I had while dreaming about this dilemma. What if the county authorized a second level “promenade” of sorts over the highway to tie Coco Palms with the beach? A very attractive design that went well with the land and effective tunnel of the highway underneath? Of course I am in favor of the entire Kahuna on designated part of the property and maintaining the look of the original lagoon plan that I outlined earlier, but this might be a “beach tie” that was preventing other plans. Had anyone proposed this yet?
Terrible idea for many reasons. I’m assuming you do not live in the Wailua area because if you do, then an open resort in this location would contribute greatly to traffic & congestion. The beach is an extremely unsafe swimming beach much of the year with no lifeguards and the water quality is also quite bad.
The Kauaʻi county planning committee is responding to a petition for a declaratory ruling on a clause of the planning rules that says that if a developer does not make significant progress on a development within 2 years of when the permit is granted the permit is no longer valid. The committee has heard the testimony and arguments and are now in an executive session. I am waiting for their ruling.
As few of us knew what a declaratory ruling is the public testimony, and there was a lot of it, was heartfelt declared reasons why re developing the Coco Palms site as a resort was a bad idea.
P.S.
If they granted automatic extensions for all other permits due to COVID (which I believe they did) they’d be in legal limbo if they singled out this permit holder.
It’s been an eyesore for 30 years now. The hotel before the storm needed a major renovation back then. I know there is sacred land within the confines . So that should stay separate away from any development to make people happy. Kauai doesn’t need another high end hotel n more traffic, look at what kauai needs an updated hospital affordable housing , senior center with health needs, maybe a park where everyone can enjoy , like they say Elvis left the building leave it at that forget about the past n start anew , make the property work for all of kauai .
Aloha. In 1989, I got married in the little chapel at Coco Palms. It was beautiful. Being of Hawaiian decent, I am very proud to have gotten married on Sacred Hawaiian Royal grounds. Love to see it cleaned up, keep original structures and keep it sacred.
My wife and I used to live on Mala Street years ago, it was always a delight to drive home along the beautiful Coco Palms. I was in the tours business at that time, bringing lots of Europeans and Canadians at the hotel and knowing they would be enchanted to visit such a special place.
Now, We go back to Kauai every year and each time driving by, my heart sinks witnessing such a decay. Rather than trying to revived what has been I hope a beautiful public park would be built.
Thank you and Aloha
I’m glad I stayed there in 1968. Only for a day but it was beautiful.
Just an overnight for me (’86), too; yet the cherished memory remains.
Al Harrington had a wonderful show at the Hilton Hawaiian Village….truly a South Seas spectacular…..everything authentic….you can see it on you tube…..he was truly a gentleman….stood & took photos with anyone who wanted them….& didn’t charge a penny!!!!
I didn’t know that Al Harrington had a show.
44 years ago today my wife and I were on our honeymoon at the Coco Palms. It was magical and we were remarried there. Twice. 6th anniversary and 25th The 25th was behind a fence surrounded by ruins, but the place has always been special for us. I hope the residents find a solution that makes them happy.
I remember Coco Palms well. Back in the 70s our family went there. I remember the large sea shell sinks and how beautiful the place was. Sorry it’s in such a sad state.
Stayed there once. Loved thesink and had a drink in a pineapple!!
Oh and I also forgot to mention when we were there, the original Hawaii-5-0 (the better version)was filming there.
Ron you mean the “REAL” Hawaii 5-0 👍
Yes the real Hawaii 5-0. Jack Lord oozed Steve MaGarret.
Okay, here’s some REAL Five-O trivia: I just spent 1-1/2 hours with Kimo Kahoano (It’s Aloha Friday song and former radio show). He was a guest on many of Hawaii’s show and told us that Jack Lord was a VERY SERIOUS actor and co-produced of the show. In fact, when it came to Al Harrington (Ben) and Zulu (Kono), one of them (can’t say which) was clowning a bit too much and got released from the show!!
More good stuff to come!
Hi MJ.
Good to hear from you again. Thanks.
Aloha.
I wonder if it was Zulu. We went to his nightclub show in Honolulu once. I heard that he was a cutup and his show was pretty good if I can recall.
I just read it was Zulu that was fired by Jack Lord. Supposedly he uttered a racial slur and Lord had him fired.
Okay, I will update you now so the wrong idea isn’t out there. Kono was fired, but it was for an ethnic, not a racial slur. I was referring to Al Harrington being let go due to his clowning around. With all his shows in Waikiki he didn’t take Jack seriously enough.
Ok. Thanks for letting me know.
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